The Tenth Judicial District of Minnesota presented its 2014 Judge Robert Varco 10th Judicial District Pro Bono Award to Thomas Lehmann of the Eckberg Lammers Law Firm in Stillwater. Lehmann was nominated by Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS) for the pro bono legal services he has provided to clients of SMRLS since 1989. In the nomination, it was noted that his long service outdates their recordkeeping system.

Since 2002, Lehmann has completed 38 cases for SMRLS clients and contributed over 445 hours of high-quality legal services. SMRLS provides a full range of legal services to low-income persons in civil matters in 33 counties in Minnesota, including Washington County. The mission of SMRLS is to obtain effective access to the justice system to maintain freedom from hunger, homelessness, sickness, and abuse. Lehmann has been willing to take a wide range of cases for SMRLS including collection, employment, landlord-tenant, public benefits, wills, and family law cases including dissolutions, custody matters, and adoptions.

In presenting the Award, Judge Krista Martin noted Lehmann’s dedication to the development and delivery of legal services to the poor through SMRLS.

“His history of service merits this important recognition,” said Judge Martin “It serves as an ongoing example of legal services for low-income individuals for Washington County.”

The 10th District Award is named in Memory of Judge Robert Varco who chambered in Sherburne County. For years Judge Varco chaired the 10th District’s Pro Bono Committee and was known for his impassioned pleas for pro bono volunteers and his deep expressions of gratitude when he annually made the award presentation. Judge Varco would have been delighted with the well-deserved recognition given Mr. Lehmann.